LHA 6 completes builder’s sea trials

The amphibious assault ship America (LHA 6) returned to Ingalls Shipbuilding on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, following successful builder’s sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico

NOVEMBER 14, 2014 — Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division’s multipurpose amphibious assault ship America (LHA 6) returned Saturday from successful builder’s sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Ingalls’ test and trials team started with dock trials Monday and then spent five days operating the ship at sea, where it conducted more than 200 test events.

“The ship performed well at sea and largely exceeded my expectations. The state of completion is right where it should be for builder’s trials,” said Capt. Chris Mercer, Amphibious Warfare program manager for the Navy’s Program Executive Office, Ships. “Our joint government and industry team comprehensively tested every aspect of the ship’s equipment and systems, and the results leave us with a clear path to a successful acceptance trials and delivery next year.”

America will be the first of the Navy’s next generation of “big deck” amphibious ships that are designed to replace the aging Tarawa class. This new class has been designed to accommodate the future needs of the Marine Corps’ aviation combat element with additional aviation maintenance capability, increased fuel capacity and a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment.

“It’s an awesome feeling riding this ship knowing the hard work that took place to get her ready for sea trials,” said George Jones, Ingalls’ LHA 6 program manager. “The LHA 6 team continued to work diligently during our time on the Gulf. The ship performed well and our team will work to ensure LHA 6 will be prepared for her acceptance trials. We have confidence this will be a great opportunity for America to prove her worth as she prepares to enter the U.S. Navy fleet.”

During builder’s trials, America performed all required sea trial evolutions, including the operation of the gas turbine/electric-powered propulsion system. Other tests included anchor handling, flight operations, and combat systems’ evaluations.

“LHA 6 proved her seaworthiness during builder’s trials,” said Richard Schenk, Ingalls’ vice president of test and trials. “The test and trials team implemented a rigorous schedule of testing including a day of dock trials before the ship left. The Ingalls team and the ship performed very well. We look forward to continuing the hard work on our company’s newest large deck amphibious ship as our test group works with the LHA 6 program/ops team to prepare for acceptance trials.”

The ship will now prepare for acceptance sea trials in late January to demonstrate the same tests and operational success to the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).

When America enters the fleet, she will be the flagship of an Expeditionary Strike Group, strategically positioning Marine Expeditionary Units ashore across a full spectrum of missions including humanitarian, disaster relief, maritime security, antipiracy and other operations while providing air support for ground forces.

America-class ships are 844 feet long, 106 feet wide and displace 44,971 long tons. The gas-turbine propulsion system will drive the ships in excess of 20 knots. They will accommodate a crew of 1,059 (65 officers) and 1,687 troops. The America-class will be capable of carrying a Marine Expeditionary Unit, including Marine helicopters, MV‐22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and F‐35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.

The newest class has an increased aviation capacity to include an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.